HomeMy WebLinkAboutA001 - Council Action Form dated April 23, 1991 COUNCIL ACTION FORM
Item # L
Date: April 23, 1991
SUBJECT: Establishing a speed limit on Oakwood Road
BACKGROUND:
A request from a resident of Timberland Road was recently received for
posting a speed limit on Oakwood Road from Elwood Drive to State Avenue.
Concerns were raised since many residents walked this route and some
motorists' speeds were exceeding safe levels for this activity on the side of
the roadway. After contacting Del Jespersen, Story County Engineer, and
searching records, it was determined that no official speed limit was
designated for this roadway. Oakwood Road is a joint jurisdictional
roadway with the City and County responsible for the signing, pavement
marking, street maintenance, and snow removal.
Staff performed an evaluation and concluded that a 45 mile per hour speed
limit should be posted on the roadway. Roadway conditions, motorists
speeds, speed limits on comparative city roadways, and other criteria were
used to determine this speed limit. All factors indicated that the most
appropriate speed limit was 45 mph.
Since the roadway is paved and a through route, a speed limit of 45 mph
would be appropriate according to the Iowa Code because it is a suburban
roadway. Staff conducted a speed study which showed that 85% of the
motorists were driving at speeds lower than 47.6 mph. Traffic engineer-
ing guides recommend that speed limits should be posted at speeds that
85% of the motorists were traveling. According to studies, 85% of the
motorists travel at or below speeds that are safe for the prevailing road-
way conditions. With speed limits established at this speed, overall
compliance would be achieved and safety would be enhanced by decreasing
conflicts between faster and slower drivers.
Also taken in consideration for determining the speed limit was the limited
numbers of access, roadway conditions, and the speed limits established on
comparative roadways. Speed limits designated on other arterial roadways
adjacent to Oakwood Road have posted "45 mph" speed limits. Roadways
with this speed limit include Elwood Drive, State Avenue, and Airport
Road. Motorists would safely travel Oakwood Road at 45 mph since it has
slight grades and roadway curves, and few street and residential accesses
along the route. Two minor accidents have been reported along this one
mile segment on Oakwood during the past five years.
County officials have been contacted and agree with this proposal. They
will submit this proposal to the County Supervisors for their concurrence.
CAF - Oakland Road
April 23, 1991
Page 2
ALTERNATIVES:
1. Designate a 1145" mile per hour speed limit on Oakwood Road from
Elwood Drive to State Avenue.
2. Designate an other speed limit on Oakwood Road.
3. Do nothing.
MANAGER'S RECOMMENDED ACTION:
It is recommended by the City Manager that the City Council adopt alter-
native number 1 above, thereby designating a 1145" mile per hour speed
limit on Oakwood Road from State to Elwood Drive.
COUNCIL ACTION:
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